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Wednesday, 9 August 2017

SWAZI GOVERNMENT FUEL BILLS GO UNPAID

The Swaziland Government faces a fuel crisis as it
has not paid its bills to suppliers. As much as E32 million (US$2.4 million)
might be outstanding.

The news follows revelations of widespread
corruption and misuse of fuel.

Minister
of Public Works and Transport Lindiwe Dlamini told the House of Assembly there was now a shortage of fuel, the Times of Swaziland reported on Thursday (3 August 2017). It said the ministry owes its two
suppliers, Engen and Galp, about E16 million each. This is the cap on the
credit that both fuel companies extended to government. Dlamini said Cabinet
had been asked to release the money.

The Swazi Observer newspaper reported Mtfongwaneni
MP Mjuluko Dlamini said there was a problem in all ministries as they did not
to have enough fuel to keep their vehicles moving.

In May
2017 it was revealed in a report to the Swazi parliament that as single government vehicle used 608 litres of diesel in one day and another 743
the day after. The Isuzu Double cab 4x4 was said to have been filled up with at
least 500 litres a day on many other occasions. About 50 vehicles are said to
have been filled up in the same way, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which
investigates how government ministries spend state funds, heard.

The committee was also told
that the Ministry of National Defence and Security had spent E143 million
(US$10.6 million)on fuel during the 2015/2016
financial year when it was budgeted for E58 million.